But how lucky are we? We get to travel the world together and do jobs we love. If I had another career—like one that required me to be in one place—we’d rarely see each other.
I can’t even fathom that.
I agreed to meet my crew outside the Hoffman building. It’s the same group I worked with in Italy when I interviewed Caleb,so I’m happy about that. Before long, I see Melody and Derna appear, with Michele following behind.
“Hello, good to see you all,” I say cheerfully.
We exchange hellos and head inside, where we are met by a member of the Hoffman Racing team and quickly led upstairs and outside to the private deck of the motorhome. Here, VIP clients are mingling and enjoying cocktails on this sunny day.
We’re given a table in the corner of the rooftop terrace, with one chair and a sofa, for the interview. Soon the crew is setting up, and Michele does a light touch-up of my makeup. I feel at ease and ready to go. I’m dressed in a fabulous outfit by E. Hay—wide-legged jeans and an asymmetrical black top. Melody puts on my mic, and Michele goes inside to put some makeup on Xavier before we get ready to shoot.
Before long, the door to the terrace opens, and Xavier walks out with the communications coordinator for Hoffman Racing. For a moment, you can feel the energy on the terrace shift. Everyone murmurs. People stare at the top driver in the world as he makes his entrance.
I study my interview subject as he flashes that famous smile and waves to the VIP guests who cheer and clap as he makes his way across the terrace. There is no doubt about it—Xavier Williams is a fantasy-type man. He’s around six feet tall, with that lean and sculpted frame F1 drivers must have to fit into the cockpit, and a neck built by driving. He has wavy brown hair, hazel eyes, and the perfect amount of stubble shading his jawline. I clock the tattoos on his hands and full sleeves on both arms, which are slightly visible from the rolled-up sleeves of his light-blue dress shirt.
Combine those lethal looks with his aggressive, elbows-out, sometimes controversial driving style that often ends with him on the podium?
Xavier is incredibly hot in that total bad-boy way.
“Isla,” he says, flashing me a brilliant smile as he extends his hand, “pleasure to meet you.”
“Xavier,” I say, shaking his hand firmly, “thank you for sitting down with me today.”
I review what kind of questions I’m going to ask him during our shoot as he’s fitted with a mic. “I’m not going for anything serious with this interview,” I reassure him. “We’re just here to talk about random stuff and have fun.”
A slow, lazy smile passes over his face. “I’m all about fun.”
I chuckle at that.I’m sure you are,I think to myself.
Once his mic is good to go, I take a seat in a rattan chair, and Xavier takes a seat on the sofa.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Bring it,” he says, his eyes dancing at me.
I can totally see why Hadleigh watched Connectivity videos of this man on a loop. There’ssomethingabout him. That IT thing.
But I plan to bring out a ridiculous side of him, if all goes according to plan.
“Xavier, thank you for sitting down to chat with me today,” I say. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to talk with the reigning world champion.”
“My pleasure,” he says.
“You’re the only American on the grid right now.”
Xavier runs his index finger over the corner of his mouth, which shows off the intricate tattoo of a compass covering his right hand. I nearly burst out laughing when I picture Hadleigh drooling when she sees this, but I somehow manage to remain professional.
“Las Vegas born and bred. Sin City,” he adds with a wink.
Oh, he SO knows what he needs to do to go viral on TikTok.
“How often do you go back?” I ask.
“I do spend time there in the off season,” he says. “It suits me. I like the energy of the Strip at night. It’s always fun.”
I remember all the images of him at the top-tier clubs in Las Vegas from the last break, often spinning with the DJ. Partying in the luxurious pools with lots of gorgeous women. Or DJing poolsidewithgirls.
“You’re known for your mad DJ skills,” I say.